In 1961, James Farmer orchestrated and led the famous Freedom Rides through the South, which are renowned for forcing Americans to confront segregation in bus terminals and on interstate buses. In the spring of that year, James Farmer trained a small group of freedom riders, teaching them to deal with the hostility they were likely to encounter using nonviolent resistance. This training would serve them well.
- Senator Charles Robb, "A Tribute to an American Freedom Fighter," U.S. Senate
The principal goal of the activity described in this statement was to
O expand voting rights for African Americans
• achieve racial integration of public facilities
• force the president to send military troops into the South
• encourage change through violent means